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So, to preface, ever since the new 7ed codex, I've loved the Idea of a Stealth based recon/rapid response close action cadre.

one thing that I've always found lacking though, was a good, reasonably customizable stealth Hq unit, and the stealth suits seem utilitarian, but should be so much more the swiss army knife than they are.

I've been playing around with some ideas about a stealth commander/unit for fun.

I've attached the first draft

Any chance you could copy/paste your proposed rules into the OP?

I'm lazy, and don't want to go through the extra step of downloading a file just to provide feedback.

First off, it looks real nice. Props to you for that!

The Pulse Blaster Array is S6 AP2 all the way up to 15". Is that a typo?

 JNAProductions wrote:
First off, it looks real nice. Props to you for that!

The Pulse Blaster Array is S6 AP2 all the way up to 15". Is that a typo?

That's the main thing that jumped out at me. Also, I feel that the overcharged version of the phased ion flamer might possibly be a bit too good on a unit that can sucker punch like stealth suits, but I might be overly worried. Being a short-ranged helldrake is already pretty good without having to double tap it. Overall, this seems reasonable and solid enough to warrant a playtest. I really like having stealth suit commander options.

What did you use to make your pdf? I'd love to do some homebrews in a similar format!

Pulse Blast Array - Yes is a typo
supposed to be 6/2 then 5/5 then 4/0, just like the regular version.

The format was done in powerpoint. grab the epub version of the tau codex, and you can pull the non-text elements and place them in PPT. Then it's a question of cropping, text boxes, and formatting until you have this.

Thanks for posting the rules in the OP!

A few clarifications before I provide my opinion:

For the Pulse Blast Array, if you're referring to the Pulse Blaster, the profiles are 6/3, 5/5, then 4/0. Is that your intention, or did you intend the 0-5" profile to be an improved AP version?

Also, looking at the entry for the Stealth Bodyguard unit, you've limited the Pulse Blast Array to the Shas'vre, which is probably a good idea to prevent the comparable imbalance (given the limited mobility of the Fire Warriors wielding mass Pulse Blasters, without huge points sunk into transports - not an issue for stealth suits who can infiltrate and deepstrike).

However, the form you gave to giving the Shas'vre access was in the same form as that for the "Markerlight and Target Lock" option, which is IN ADDITION TO and not IN PLACE OF the existing Burst Cannon.

And as per the existing Stealthsuit rules, the model with have a Multi-tracker, and thus be able to shoot both weapons.

Did you intend for the Shas'vre to be able to go guns akimbo, like Shadowsun? If so, 5 points for the extra weapon (which is at least as good for its points, if not better due to a stealth suit's mobility, than a Burst Cannon) is not appropriately costed.

Edit: Looking over the proposed rules again, you've also listed the ability for the Stealth Shas'ui and Stealth Shas'vre to choose one additional weapon from the Ranged Weapons list in addition to the normal allowance of one system from the Support System list. As a presumed typo, you allowed Stealth Shas'ui to choose one additional weapon twice, with the second allowance presumably meant to be "Shas'vre" given its location.

So for the modest price of 10 points, not only does the Bodyguard unit gain Sworn Protector, but it also gives every stealth suit in the unit the ability to take a second weapon option without replacing the first, as if they were Crisis suits?

That might be a bit too much of a boost, in my opinion. You can end up with 180 points of Stealthsuit firepower at the cost of 130 points. Yes, fewer bodies, but I'm not convinced that's a balanced approach.



Concerning the actual unique Commander, I think you are underestimating the power boost that an Independent Character with both the Stealth and Shroud USRs can provide. Currently, Shadowsun is the sole source for the Tau, and she is not only a unique character, but has pre-set weapons and support systems with extremely limited focus (albeit being very good at that focus) and has a mere Toughness of 3, compared to your commander's Toughness of 4.

Given the ubiquitous HROF S7 and S6 weaponry, that leaves Shadowsun in a comparatively vulnerable position, which is made even more drastic by your commander's ability to get Feel no Pain and/or a Shield Generator. The Toughness of 4 also allows for an easier time in creating a majority toughness of 4 when attaching to stealth squads, which is a not insignificant boost to their surviveability. Finally, the ability to choose a second weapon system provides a great deal more flexibility for integrating your Commander into friendly squads - A good thing to have, but that just makes the comparison more in favor of your commander.

For a minimum of 125 points (compared to Shadowsun's higher cost), the Stealth/Shrouded buff (through attaching your commander to other units via IC) and the very potent unique template weapon is a helluva steal.

I'd need to think a bit more on if 105 for total (the base cost of the stealth Shas'vre + 65 points) is an appropriate cost for your unique Shas'vre Bodyguard leader, given that he doesn't have IC but does have that very nifty flamer template weapon... I'll reserve judgment for now.



Generally speaking, I've always been a bit annoyed that they haven't included a Stealth commander (with the sorta-exception to the Forgeworld Commander Ra'lai's original rules suggesting a stealth-like distance-based save increase). It's a gap that doesn't make sense, given the Tau don't feel an absolute necessity to lead-from-the-front-and-get-sniped-like-an-idiot (see Shadowsun's various campaigns).

I'd love to see this concept refined, not only as the unique character you've provided, but also as a more customizable, generic "Stealthsuit Commander" statline. Frankly, I'd like to see similar customizable, generic "Hazard Commander" "Ghosttide Commander" and "Riptide Commander" choices, too.

 Unusual Suspect wrote:
Thanks for posting the rules in the OP!

A few clarifications before I provide my opinion:

For the Pulse Blast Array, if you're referring to the Pulse Blaster, the profiles are 6/3, 5/5, then 4/0. Is that your intention, or did you intend the 0-5" profile to be an improved AP version?

Also, looking at the entry for the Stealth Bodyguard unit, you've limited the Pulse Blast Array to the Shas'vre, which is probably a good idea to prevent the comparable imbalance (given the limited mobility of the Fire Warriors wielding mass Pulse Blasters, without huge points sunk into transports - not an issue for stealth suits who can infiltrate and deepstrike).

However, the form you gave to giving the Shas'vre access was in the same form as that for the "Markerlight and Target Lock" option, which is IN ADDITION TO and not IN PLACE OF the existing Burst Cannon.

And as per the existing Stealthsuit rules, the model with have a Multi-tracker, and thus be able to shoot both weapons.

Did you intend for the Shas'vre to be able to go guns akimbo, like Shadowsun? If so, 5 points for the extra weapon (which is at least as good for its points, if not better due to a stealth suit's mobility, than a Burst Cannon) is not appropriately costed.

Edit: Looking over the proposed rules again, you've also listed the ability for the Stealth Shas'ui and Stealth Shas'vre to choose one additional weapon from the Ranged Weapons list in addition to the normal allowance of one system from the Support System list. As a presumed typo, you allowed Stealth Shas'ui to choose one additional weapon twice, with the second allowance presumably meant to be "Shas'vre" given its location.

So for the modest price of 10 points, not only does the Bodyguard unit gain Sworn Protector, but it also gives every stealth suit in the unit the ability to take a second weapon option without replacing the first, as if they were Crisis suits?

That might be a bit too much of a boost, in my opinion. You can end up with 180 points of Stealthsuit firepower at the cost of 130 points. Yes, fewer bodies, but I'm not convinced that's a balanced approach.



Concerning the actual unique Commander, I think you are underestimating the power boost that an Independent Character with both the Stealth and Shroud USRs can provide. Currently, Shadowsun is the sole source for the Tau, and she is not only a unique character, but has pre-set weapons and support systems with extremely limited focus (albeit being very good at that focus) and has a mere Toughness of 3, compared to your commander's Toughness of 4.

Given the ubiquitous HROF S7 and S6 weaponry, that leaves Shadowsun in a comparatively vulnerable position, which is made even more drastic by your commander's ability to get Feel no Pain and/or a Shield Generator. The Toughness of 4 also allows for an easier time in creating a majority toughness of 4 when attaching to stealth squads, which is a not insignificant boost to their surviveability. Finally, the ability to choose a second weapon system provides a great deal more flexibility for integrating your Commander into friendly squads - A good thing to have, but that just makes the comparison more in favor of your commander.

For a minimum of 125 points (compared to Shadowsun's higher cost), the Stealth/Shrouded buff (through attaching your commander to other units via IC) and the very potent unique template weapon is a helluva steal.

I'd need to think a bit more on if 105 for total (the base cost of the stealth Shas'vre + 65 points) is an appropriate cost for your unique Shas'vre Bodyguard leader, given that he doesn't have IC but does have that very nifty flamer template weapon... I'll reserve judgment for now.



Generally speaking, I've always been a bit annoyed that they haven't included a Stealth commander (with the sorta-exception to the Forgeworld Commander Ra'lai's original rules suggesting a stealth-like distance-based save increase). It's a gap that doesn't make sense, given the Tau don't feel an absolute necessity to lead-from-the-front-and-get-sniped-like-an-idiot (see Shadowsun's various campaigns).

I'd love to see this concept refined, not only as the unique character you've provided, but also as a more customizable, generic "Stealthsuit Commander" statline. Frankly, I'd like to see similar customizable, generic "Hazard Commander" "Ghosttide Commander" and "Riptide Commander" choices, too.

Good Catches!

I'll have to edit.

Stealth suits ONLY have ONE weapon. the ranged weapon option and PBA otion are meant to replace the burst cannons, not in addition to.

That squad would be the mother of all glass cannons. With T3

As for the IC rule...May have to limit him to only joining stealth suit squads.....

Shas'vre Upgrades: It is 65pts INSTEAD of the 10 to upgrade to the normal Shas'vre. 155/165 min

I agree that his ability to get FNP/SG/EWO/TL may be OP, I will see after a test game.


I also would LOVE a Hazard Commander that was more customizable. Not as keen on the Ghosttide/riptide commander being customizable.

Good Catches!

I'll have to edit.

Stealth suits ONLY have ONE weapon. the ranged weapon option and PBA otion are meant to replace the burst cannons, not in addition to.

Good to know. Greater versatility for your single squad of stealth is far less disruptive to balance than double-gun glass cannons of dakka doom, though the pricing may be a bit off.

Consider dropping the base price for the stealth suits by 10 points per model, then force a choice of a ranged weapon option. Doing so would allow you to work off of the existing ranged weapons table and point pricing. That way, you're allowing flamer stealth suits without doing the relatively unprecedented method of subtracting points from the base cost, and making it generally more intuitive to figure out your unit's price.

That squad would be the mother of all glass cannons. With T3

Quite true, though if your Unique commander (or, well any other commander) is leading the squad with a few T4 drones in tow, they could easily end up with a majority toughness of 4.

Again, I think I couched my worry with "might" and "not convinced", but it's probably better to be safe than sorry when it comes to such overwhelming raw firepower, so sticking to 1 weapon per model (with only your Unique character/shas'vre upgrade allowed to have more) is a good choice, IMO.

As for the IC rule...May have to limit him to only joining stealth suit squads.....

Or up the points cost a bit.

Shas'vre Upgrades: It is 65pts INSTEAD of the 10 to upgrade to the normal Shas'vre. 155/165 min

Gotcha, I misread that.

Might be slightly more balanced that way.

His ability to take drones, and his increased toughness, will also allow for majority toughness of 4 for your stealth suits, providing a bit more durability. Something to keep in mind, though again, potentially balanced.

I agree that his ability to get FNP/SG/EWO/TL may be OP, I will see after a test game.

I'm actually still a bit confused by the wording. Looking at it again, is it intended that your two Unique characters are limited to two choices in total, which can come from either the Ranged Weapons list, the Support Systems list, or one from each? Or would they be able to take a total of 2 ranged weapon and 2 support systems at the same time, for a total of 4 choices?

If the total limit is 2, that itself would limit some of the OPness, given the relatively unique niche that your commander's weapon system occupies and the inability to stack support systems - you can have firepower, durability, or versatility, but probably can't do all at the same time.

I also would LOVE a Hazard Commander that was more customizable. Not as keen on the Ghosttide/riptide commander being customizable.

Yeah, you're probably right on the Ghost/Riptide. That said, I was honestly surprised they don't allow Shadowsun to switch her XV-22 for a Ghosttide in the War Zone: Damocles series, given her notable success therein.